Assistant head coach of the Black Stars, George Boateng, has charged players who are involved on the domestic scene to put in their best performance anytime they are called up to the national team and not just add up to the numbers.
In recent times, the Black Stars team has not been a friendly environment for players from the Ghana Premier League as they have mostly been limited to little or no minutes.
Players such as Daniel Afriyie Barnieh, Gladson Awako, Maxwell Abbey Quaye, David Abagna and Augustine Okrah have all tried their luck but have been far from being fruitful leading to the latter turning down a call-up ahead of the four-nation tournament in Japan in June.
Afriyie Barnieh, who has been Hearts of Oak’s star man in recent times, is the latest to earn a place in Ghana’s team ahead of the September international break and Boateng has asked that home-based players give their best when called up.
“We are always considering local players and we always say to the local players, if you come to the Black stars, think that you are also good enough to be there,” the former Aston Villa U-23 coach said as quoted by Joy Sports.
“I can understand these boys [home-based players] watch those players [Kudus, Partey, Djiku] on TV and then all of a sudden, you end up in the same dressing room as them.”
“You have to try your best. Give your best because you are not here [Black Stars] to make up numbers.”
Ghana will play Brazil and Nicaragua during the international break later this month.
